The Tamaqua Elementary School held its pie in the face fundraiser, and the proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society as the charity event culminated last Friday.

The students ended up raising $3,700 in an interesting fashion. Each student raised money toward a teacher. The educator with the most money raised in their honor would receive a pie in the face. In a packed gym of excited students, faculty and family, it was second-grade teacher Mrs. Linda Travis received the honor — and the crowd erupted. In fact, the students were so engaged with the fundraising that donations were coming in up to five minutes before the assembly.

“I think it’s been going on for around 17 years,” said first-grade teacher Danelle Kane, who has been teaching for 20 years.

“I originally started after my brother was diagnosed with cancer. Since then, my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer and has passed away. For the past two years, I’ve been battling breast cancer as well. I just finished my treatments in March. It’s been going through my family and it’s a cause near and dear to my house.”

A former Tamaqua elementary student stepped up in a big way to help raise money. Maddie McGlinchey raised over $700 on her own, thanks to some pro-activity in the local community. McGlinchey put fundraising jugs around town and her extra effort paid off.

“When her mom told me about those jugs that she put around town I couldn’t believe it,” Kane said. “She did it to raise money for me and for the Relay For life.”

McGlinchey is now a junior at Tamaqua Area High School.

“We put them around town and we messaged some of our Facebook friends,” she said. “They sent money in. Mrs. Kane was my former first-grade teacher and I really wanted to do something nice for her. She’s amazing and so strong, it was definitely worth it. I feel great, because it goes toward a great cause for everybody. Especially those people that are battling cancer because they fight so hard.”

The $3,700 marked the most Tamaqua Elementary School has ever raised during this project.

“It was electric here today,” Kane said. “We want to continue to raise money for this great cause.”